Laverne Alice O'Neil

Laverne Alice "Honey" O'Neil of Traverse City died at home on September 5, 2013 surrounded by her family. She was born on August 27, 1932 in Iron Mountain, Michigan, the daughter of Harry and Alice (Johnson) Jacobson. She graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1950. On Valentine's Day 1953 she married the love of her life David P. O'Neil at St. Joseph's Church in Iron Mountain. In that same year they moved to Traverse City where they raised six children and where she lived for the remainder of her life—although she always remained homesick, on some level, for her native Upper Peninsula

She was an inquisitive woman with many interests, both earthly and spiritual, and particularly enjoyed gardening, crossword puzzles and computers. She was a good cook and excelled at making pasties and pies. She had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh.

Her family was her life. Her love for her family was celebrated every Sunday as they gathered at her house for lunch, a weekly event that became known as "Nama Day."

Her loving heart was often extended to those most vulnerable, which is reflected in her work. She worked at the All Faiths Chapel at the Traverse City State Hospital from 1981 to 1989 and at the Fr. Fred Foundation from its inception in 1989 until this past fall.

She is survived by her children: Debby O'Neil Swaney, Kathy O'Neil, Dan (Maura Brennan) O'Neil, Mary Beth O'Neil, Tim (Mary Ann) O'Neil, and Tricia (Nick) Richmond; grandchildren: Jasmine (Ben) Lamb, Cara Swaney, Meg Swaney, Mary O'Neil, John O'Neil, Riley O'Neil, Briggs Richmond, Chase Richmond and Jackson Richmond; brothers Kenny Jacobson and Bill Andrews and many nephews and nieces

She was preceded in death by her husband David P. O'Neil, her father Harry Jacobson, her mother Alice Andrews, her sisters Joyce "Lolly" Barkle and Shirley Vivio and brother Harry Jacobson Jr.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Fr. Fred Foundation